Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
FAQ's
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Reservations are highly recommended and are based on availability. You can make a reservation on our website or over the phone. We generally recommend that you make a reservation 3 days in advance for a weekday and 7 days in advance for a weekend (we suggest even further in advance for holiday cruises). We do take same-day reservations, however, it is based on availability.
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Yes. We require full payment when making a reservation.
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The cruise duration is 50 minutes.
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The gondola departs from 5437 E Ocean Blvd Long Beach and takes you on a mile-long loop through the enchanting Naples Canals in Alamitos Bay.
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No. Every gondola cruise is a private cruise for you and your party.
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No. All ages are welcome on our gondolas!
Due to Coast Guard Law only 6 souls are allowed on board for the Traditional Cruises and 14 on the Grand Venetian Cruises. These are strict maximums regardless of age or size.
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Traditional Cruises: A professional Gondolier aboard your private boat; Complimentary corkage, ice buckets, and cups; Cozy blankets; A complimentary photo
The Grand Venetian Cruise: Two professional Gondoliers aboard your private boat; Complimentary corkage, ice buckets, and cups, plates, napkins, utensils; Cozy blankets; Removable Center Table
Pizza Cruises: Two professional Gondoliers aboard your private boat; Complimentary corkage, ice buckets, cups, plates, utensils, serving pieces, and napkins; Cozy blankets; 10% service charge included
Rates do NOT include gratuity for your Gondoliers
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Traditional Cruises: You are welcome to bring any beverages you’d like! If you wish to nibble while on the cruise, please keep it simple as there are no tables on our traditional gondolas.
The Grand Venetian Cruises: You are welcome to bring any beverages you’d like! We can put a table in the center so you can bring any food you’d like.
Pizza Cruises: You are welcome to bring any beverages you’d like! You can also bring any additional food as well. Plates, napkins and utensils included!
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Yes. You can add on appetizers, flowers, cannolis and our famous Message in a Bottle to any of our cruises. You can also upgrade to a pizza cruise. Please add these on in advance (at least 24 hours before your cruise).
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Yes. We have non-alcoholic beverages and snacks that you can purchase at check-in.
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Our gondoliers do accept tips, and they are greatly appreciated. Tipping is left up to the individual, but as a general practice, 15% – 20% of the trip cost is the common gratuity.
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We have a free parking lot located behind our building, however, we do not have designated parking for our facility. There is also free street parking on East Ocean Blvd.
Please do not park in the red Restricted area in the parking lot or in the Leeway Sailing Center turn around.
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Please arrive about 15-minutes before your reservation time to check-in.
Plan on arriving at least 30-minutes early on weekends and over summer to find parking.
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If you are running late, it will cut into your cruise time. The cruise will end at the scheduled end time and you will not receive any refund. Since your cruise will be non-refundable at this time, we recommend that you still show up to enjoy the remainder of the cruise.
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Yes!
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Yes, we have restrooms at our location. However, there are no restrooms on the gondolas or in the canals. Therefore, please arrive early to use them before your cruise.
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During select seasons, our cancellation policy is altered to 72-hours prior to your cruise: December, Valentine’s Cruises, and Firework Cruises on July 3rd.
Our standard cancellation policy is 24-hours prior to your reservation, we ask that you either call us or send us an email. Changes can be made at least 24-hours before your cruise without any fees.
All cruises are non-refundable within the 24-hour time period. No shows and cancellations within the 24-hour time period will not receive a refund. If you request to reschedule to a different date and/or time within the 24-hour time period, it is based on availability and there will be a $50 rescheduling fee. This fee may increase if food and/or flowers have already been ordered. If you wish to transfer your cruise to another party, please contact us with their name and phone number.
No changes can be made less than 3-hours before your scheduled cruise time. Cruises are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled for $50 within the 3-hour time period. If you wish to cruise on another day and/or time, a new reservation and payment must be made.
Please note that if you are running late, it will cut into your cruise time. The cruise will end at the scheduled end time and you will not receive any refund.
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If we have to cancel cruises due to extreme weather conditions at our location (like high winds and heavy rain), we will contact you on the day of your cruise with a phone call or email. Customers are not subjected to any fees in this situation and we will try our best to reschedule and accommodate you for another time. We will cruise in light rain and we will provide umbrellas and blankets.
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All times of day are perfect for a gondola ride! It really just depends on what kind of ambiance you desire. During the daytime, there tends to be more activity in the canals and lots to see. During the evening it tends to be calmer in the canals and more relaxing and romantic. It also does not get pitch black at night, so you can still enjoy the scenery. The street lamps and home lights add an enchanting atmosphere after dark.
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Yes. We have a ramp that leads to our dock. To board the gondola you first step down onto the seat, and then onto the floor. A gondolier (or two, if needed) will guide you onto the gondola. The seats are cushioned and have backrests.
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Yes. Gift certificates are available for all of our cruises and they do not expire. You can purchase a virtual gift card on our website, or you can call or visit our office to purchase our Passaporto gift certificate.
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We start taking reservations on July 1st.
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Respond to your confirmation email with your personalized message (nothing longer than a page is just about perfect). There is no special box for this message either, just simply reply to the email like you would with any other email. Once we have received it, we will reply to confirm.
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Yes! You can propose on any of our cruises. The most popular way of proposing is by using our famous Message in a Bottle. You can simply add this onto your cruise, or you can view our Ultimate Engagement Package which also includes professional photography. There will also be room for you to get on one knee to pop the question.
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Most of our gondoliers do sing and may choose to sing a song or two during your cruise. You can request a singer when making your reservation, however, it is not guaranteed.
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Our cruises are very smooth and safe and life vests are not required to be worn. However, all of our gondolas have life vests stowed under the seats and we can provide children’s life vests if requested.